Law change demands equal treatment for disabled taxi users

21 February 2017

From 6 April 2017 it will be illegal for taxi drivers to discriminate against wheelchair users.

Taxi drivers face a fine of up to £1,000 if they refuse to
transport wheelchair users or attempt to charge them extra, in a
change to the law announced by UK government Transport Minister
Andrew Jones.

From 6 April taxi and private hire vehicle drivers will be
obliged by law to:

transport wheelchair users in their wheelchair

provide passengers in wheelchairs with appropriate
assistance

charge wheelchair users the same as non-wheelchair users

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: "We want to build a
country that works for everyone, and part of that is ensuring
disabled people have the same access to services and opportunities
as anyone else - including when it comes to travel. People who use
wheelchairs are often heavily reliant on taxis and private hire
vehicles and this change to the law will mean fair and equal
treatment for all."

The new rules will apply in England, Wales and Scotland
affecting vehicles that are designated as wheelchair accessible and
will apply to both taxis and private hire vehicles. All taxis in
London and a significant number in most major urban centres are
wheelchair accessible.

In a change to the law, drivers found to be discriminating
against wheelchair users face fines of up to £1,000 as part of
provisions being enacted from the Equality Act. Drivers may also
face having their taxi or private hire vehicle (PHV) licence
suspended or revoked by their licencing authority. Drivers unable
to provide assistance for medical reasons will be able to apply to
their licensing authority for an exemption from the new
requirements.

The UK government will be consulting on a draft 'Accessibility
action plan' later this year, which will seek to address the
barriers faced by disabled people in accessing all modes of public
transport.